Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods - Suzanne Collins - Underland Chronicles Book 3

Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods
The Underland Chronicles
Book 3
Suzanne Collins
Scholastic
ISBN 9780439656245

As each story unfolds, Gregor grows and matures as he faces each new challenge and works through each prophecy. These stories are very well written and to be honest, I am enjoying them more as each book progresses, whereas with the Hunger Games Trilogy, I enjoyed each book a little less. Suzanne Collins has crafted an amazing land under, filled with various creatures, races, alliances, wars and more. The Underland is very different from the city above that Gregor comes from. Above in the Overland, Gregor is almost 12 and goes to school, and worries about money, and food and looking after his family. Each time he finds himself in the Underland he finds that he is the warrior prophesized about long ago who must often not only save the day but learn to make the hard choices along the way.

In each book the stakes seem to get higher; the first was saving his father. The second was protecting his band and finding the Bane. Here in the third novel, if he cannot solve the riddle all Warmbloods in Underland will die, and if the disease gets topside maybe all warm blooded creatures on earth. To make matters more personal, his bat, Bond, was one of the first sick. The prophecy of blood is even written backwards and can only be read using a mirror, but it states:

"Warmblood now a bloodborne death
Will rob your body of its breath,
Mark your skin, and seal your fate.
The Underland becomes a plate.
Turn and turn and turn again.
You see the what but not the when.
Remedy and wrong entwine,
And so they form a single vine.
Bring the warrior from above
If yet his heart is swayed by love.
Bring the princess or despair,
No crawlers care without her there.
Turn and turn and turn again.
You see the what but not the when.
Remedy and wrong entwine,
And so they form a single vine.
Those whose blood runs red and hot
Must join to seek the healing spot.
In the cradle find the cure
For that which makes the blood impure.
Turn and turn and turn again.
You see the what but not the when.
Remedy and wrong entwine,
And so they form a single vine.
Gnawer, human, set aside
The hatreds that reside inside.
If the flames of war are fanned,
All Warmbloods lose the Underland.
Turn and turn and turn again.
You see the what but not the when.
Remedy and wrong entwine,
And so they form a single vine."

Can Gregor solve the riddle, can he saves those most deer to him? Will he be able to live up to the title of warrior yet again? It is a lot on the shoulders of a boy almost 12. But once again Gregor must step up, and as we journey along with him it is an amazing adventure.

These books are very well written. Though originally published for a Young Adult audience, I have recommended them to numerous people of all ages (11-47) all of whom have enjoyed them greatly. They are great reads. Give them a try.

Books by Suzanne Collins:
The Underland Chronicles:
Gregor the Overlander (2003)
Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane (2004)
Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods (2005)
Gregor and the Marks of Secret (2006)
Gregor and the Code of Claw (2007)

The Hunger Games trilogy:
The Hunger Games (2008)
Catching Fire (2009)
Mockingjay (2010)

Other books:
Fire Proof: Shelby Woo #11 (1999)
When Charlie McButton Lost Power (2005)

Suzanne Collins Visual Bibliography